Here is some unusually good generative visual art available for viewing on
the Net: http://www.complexification.net/gallery . This is work by Jared
Tarbell of New Mexico. I find this work quite exciting. Many of you have
probably seen this work before. I have too, but only tonight have something
to say about it.

What I like about it is the fusion of algorithm and art. Of course there is
much generative algorithmic visual art, but this work is rather
distinguished in its particular fusion.

For instance, Box.Fitting.Img is both beautiful visually and, also, the work
grows from an algorithm that one may easily infer from watching the piece.
It starts with 5 boxes. The color of the boxes is determined by the color of
the pixel of an underlying, invisible image. Though as the piece grows, one
gets other indications of the underlying image. In any case, a box grows
until it touches another box. Then it stops growing and other boxes start
growing in the interstices remaining.

Very simple algorithm. Plain to see. But brilliantly so, really, and unusual
in its visual results.

And much of his work is this way: the algorithms are evident if you watch
closely. They are simple but often generative of unusual results. And his
sense of color and shape is finely drawn. No clumsy grab bag goin on here.
The sense of composition is fascinating. Composition within a pseudo-random
generative process.

Another wonderful part of the work is that all the source code is available
to view. It's all done in a language called Processing invented not too long
ago by Casey Reas and Ben Fry. Java based. Some other strong work is
emerging from this language such as Martin Wattenberg's, and Marek Walczak's
"Thinking Machine" at http://www.turbulence.org/spotlight/thinking , which
we have discussed a bit on the list.

In Tarbell's work we see the strong abstract quality of generative computer
visuals. Strong abstract and dynamic properties/mode/process/aesthetic. Also
we see the value of the source code to the artist-programmer community.

Another *very* strong site by Tarbell is http://levitated.net/daily .

ja
http://vispo.com